After the weekly discussion class ended that evening, Tver stepped lightly out of the headmaster's office.
He hadn't expected that among the books left behind by Ravenclaw, in addition to research on the speed of magical release across the four elements, there would also be Transfiguration—ancient, deeply complex Transfiguration.
Modern Transfiguration had been simplified to the point that it could largely be summed up with the Switching Spell, the Vanishing Spell, and the Summoning Charm. But ancient wizards were different. They had divided Transfiguration into dozens of distinct conceptual branches based on an object's state before and after transformation.
Mastering these concepts was extremely difficult; studying each one was like relearning Transfiguration from scratch. But the rewards were undeniably great.
Tonight, he had managed to show off brilliantly in front of Dumbledore, even surprising the Headmaster in a few areas. The memory brought a satisfied smile to Tver's face.
His Transfiguration skill had never been weak. After a year of Dumbledore's instruction, he was already close to Professor McGonagall's level. And now, with Ravenclaw's research added to his foundation, he could easily call himself a Transfiguration master on the international stage.
But before he could take two steps, the smile faded.
"It seems our Professor Fawley is in quite the pleasant mood tonight?" Snape emerged slowly from the shadows.
"It is something worth being pleased about," Tver replied calmly, meeting Snape's sharp gaze.
"What's this, then? Slytherin lost the match, so Professor Snape is upset and won't allow anyone else to be happy?"
Snape let out a tight, cold laugh.
"Well then, Professor Fawley, be careful not to run into some unknown attacker and get petrified. You'd end up needing to drink a potion brewed by me."
"Of course, if that attacker has something to do with you, then you wouldn't need to worry… would you?"
So he suspected him. Tver only shrugged.
"I truly have nothing to worry about, simply because my strength is more than suf-fi-cient."
After spending enough time talking with Marvolio, he'd learned how to deliver that exact kind of pointed sarcasm.
Snape's mouth twitched sharply. He opened his mouth as if to retort, but after a brief struggle, all that came out was a cold snort.
Before Tver could even process his surprise, Snape had already swept past him and stormed into the headmaster's office.
Going to report me to Dumbledore again?
Tver chuckled and shook his head.
…
Snape's face was twisted with undisguised fury as he shoved open the Headmaster's office door, the impact echoing in a loud bang.
Fawkes, who had been resting with his head tucked down, immediately lifted it and let out an irritated cry. Snape ignored him completely as he strode up to Dumbledore.
"Smack."
Both hands slammed hard onto the desk, and Snape met Dumbledore's gaze without a hint of hesitation.
"Have you never considered that boy might be the attacker?!" he demanded.
His movements were uncharacteristically rough. Dumbledore frowned in disapproval but still spoke gently.
"That boy? You mean Tver?"
"Who else in this castle has such mastery of dark magic? I'd wager even you aren't much stronger than him in that regard!"
"In dark magic research, Tver indeed has insights even I cannot reach."
"But that does not mean he is the attacker. Or rather, he has no reason whatsoever to attack a cat he bears no grudge against," Dumbledore explained patiently.
Snape was not ignorant of this logic; his so-called suspicion was little more than vented frustration.
After Snape's breathing steadied, Dumbledore gestured toward a chair.
"No need to rush. Sit. We can talk. Tea, or pumpkin juice?"
"You keep pumpkin juice here?" Snape asked as he sat.
"Tver was fond of it."
Dumbledore simply handed him a cup.
Snape looked as if he'd swallowed a fly, but still lifted the cup and took a large gulp—as if drinking Tver himself. He drained it in one go, then slammed the empty cup onto the desk.
"I suppose you know the boy is studying Muggles. Doesn't that remind you of someone?"
Dumbledore didn't answer at once. He leisurely refilled the empty cup, a calmness that made Snape's brow tighten.
"What, afraid of criticizing your old flame?" Snape sneered.
"Tver's mentor was indeed Grindelwald," Dumbledore said, shaking his head, "but he is different. He has compassion for the weak."
Snape let out a sharp scoff.
"Compassion? Even an elephant may pity an ant. That doesn't stop it from crushing the ant without effort."
"That's the point. This elephant—Tver—has never wished to crush ants. On the contrary, he respects everyone weaker or lower in status than himself."
"And how can you guarantee that one day he won't reveal ambition? Or wake up with the sudden desire to rule the wizarding world?"
Snape's face was serious now, his tone measured and steady—none of the earlier emotional outburst remained.
Because he truly feared that possibility.
Dumbledore's expression grew solemn as well.
He had long been aware of the risk. That was why he had entrusted the Philosopher's Stone to Tver last year, and why he insisted on weekly discussions.
It allowed him both to cultivate Tver—and to monitor his inner thoughts.
Dumbledore's own power had not yet declined, but he could no longer continue growing.
Tver, on the other hand, even while pretending otherwise, was visibly increasing in strength at a staggering pace.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before Tver surpassed him.
And when that time came—if Tver truly inherited his mentor's ideals and became the next Dark Lord—who would be able to stop him?
"That is why I watch him closely," Dumbledore said, a faint golden glint flashing in his blue eyes. "And why I instruct him. I will not allow any misguided ideas to take root."
Snape curled his lip.
"I thought you'd take stronger measures."
"Voldemort is still hiding somewhere, waiting to return. If Tver is drawn to his side, not even a hundred spies could stop the destruction the two of them would cause together."
Dumbledore sighed.
"You must change the way you think. Even Tver understands that many of the wizarding world's ideas have grown outdated. What we need is a more… what was the word… scientific perspective guiding us."
"Heh. Seems you're the one being influenced," Snape said with a contemptuous smile.
Dumbledore picked up a lemon sherbet without a care.
"We both know the idea itself is correct. And if Tver maintains that worldview, the wizarding world gains a younger, stronger guardian."
"What, are you planning to retire?"
"There will come a day for that."
With that, Dumbledore popped the candy into his mouth.